Device for spraying a fluid product, such as a double dose dispenser

ABSTRACT

A device for spraying fluid, the device comprising a tank ( 11 ) containing a plurality of doses of fluid, a cylindrical base ( 14 ) receiving said tank ( 11 ), a dispenser member such as a pump, a manual actuator element ( 20 ), fractioning means ( 16 ) co-operating with said actuator element ( 20 ) to fraction the content of the tank ( 11 ) into at least two doses, and energy-accumulator means ( 12 ) co-operating, during actuation, with said manual actuator element ( 20 ) to accumulate energy in the hand of the user so as to guarantee proper atomization of the entire dose of fluid on each actuation, the device being characterized in that said base ( 14 ), said fractioning means ( 16 ), and said energy-accumulator means ( 12 ) form integral portions of a common one-piece block ( 10 ).

The present invention relates to a device for spraying fluids, and moreparticularly to such a spray device designed to deliver at least twodoses of the fluid.

Devices of that kind give rise to several problems. Thus, one problemwhich arises is that of obtaining perfect atomization of the entire dosewhen the device is actuated. Another problem is that of ensuring thatthe content of the tank is fractioned in simple and reliable manner soas to be able to transform the device into a two-dose dispenser.

Document WO 93/02804 deals with these problems in an attempt to solvethem. That document discloses a device such as a two-dose dispenser,comprising a tank mounted on a base and a pusher for actuating theapparatus. A portion of the pusher co-operates with a split ring placedin a groove formed in the outer wall of the tank so that in order to beable to dispense the first dose, it is necessary to build up a certainamount of force in the hand of the user until the split ring leaves itsgroove. In order to fraction the content of the tank into two doses, thedevice of document WO 93/02804 provides for forming a second groove inthe outer wall of the tank and for placing a second split ring thereinsuch that after the device has been actuated to expel the first dose,the assembly comprising the pusher plus the first split ring is stoppedby the second ring located in said second groove. Thereafter, in orderto spray the second dose, it is again necessary to build up a certainamount of force in order to be able to cause the second split ring toleave its groove and thus cause the second dose to be dispensed. Thatdevice operates in satisfactory manner but can nevertheless presentcertain drawbacks. Thus, since only a small amount of fluid is containedin the tank, a main object is to keep the cost of said spray device aslow as possible so as to avoid having a negative influence on the finalsale price of the device. Unfortunately, the device disclosed indocument WO 93/02804 has various different component parts which arenecessary to perform the energy-accumulating function and thedose-fractioning function. The manufacture and assembly of those variouscomponent parts can therefore be relatively expensive. Furthermore,because of the presence of two peripheral grooves in the outer surfaceof the tank, it is practically impossible to make the tank and the baseas a single piece, since said grooves are situated in the hollow annularspace defined between the tank and the base. In addition, the use ofmoving means for performing the energy-accumulating function can giverise to the risk of faulty operation in the event of said split ringsbreaking or jamming.

Document EP-0 546 607 discloses a single-dose dispenser having aperipheral groove in the inner wall of the body which co-operates with aperipheral rib on the outer wall of the tank so as to prevent the devicebeing actuated accidentally. The drawback of that kind of device is thedifficulty in making a mold that is simple and of low cost. The groovein the inner wall requires the use of an undercut and thus a mold thatis relatively complicated.

Document EP-0 311 863 discloses a two-dose dispenser havingdose-fractioning means which are disposed on a part that is engaged onthe body and that co-operates with the tank. It does not haveenergy-accumulating means and it requires the use of an additional part,with the molding of said part also suffering from the same drawbacks asthose described above, i.e. a mold that is complicated and expensive.

An object of the present invention is to provide such a device forspraying fluids which does not have the above-mentioned drawbacks.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a device forspraying fluids that comprises a minimum number of component parts.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such a devicemaking it possible to achieve reliable fractioning while guaranteeing amanufacturing cost, and in particular for molding and for assembly, thatis as small as possible.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a device forspraying fluids, such as a two-dose dispenser, that is capable ofguaranteeing perfect atomization of the entirety of each dose, whilestill being simple to fabricate, assemble, and use, and to do so at thesmallest possible cost.

The present invention thus provides a device for spraying fluid, thedevice comprising a tank containing a plurality of doses of fluid, acylindrical base receiving said tank, a dispenser member such as a pump,a manual actuator element, fractioning means co-operating with saidactuator element to fraction the content of the tank into at least twodoses, and energy-accumulator means co-operating, during actuation, withsaid manual actuator element to accumulate energy in the hand of theuser so as to guarantee proper atomization of the entire dose of fluidon each actuation, the device being characterized in that said base,said fractioning means, and said energy-accumulator means form integralportions of a common one-piece block.

Preferably, said tank is integrally formed with said one-piece block.

Preferably, the dispenser device comprises indexing means co-operatingwith said manual actuator element selectively to allow or preventactuation of the device, in which said indexing means are integrallyformed with said one-piece block.

Advantageously, said indexing means are formed by one or morethickenings provided on a portion of an inner surface of said one-pieceblock and co-operating, in a first position of the actuator element,with one or more tabs projecting into the inside of the actuator elementto prevent actuation of the device, said actuator element being movablein rotation relative to said one-piece block into a second position inwhich said tabs no longer co-operate with said thickenings, therebyenabling the device to be actuated.

Preferably, said energy-accumulator means co-operate with said actuatorelement by deforming it elastically when a predetermined minimum forceis exerted thereon.

Advantageously, said energy-accumulator means are studs formed on theouter surface of said one-piece block, which studs co-operate withcorresponding shoulders provided on the inner surface of the actuatorelement.

Advantageously, said fractioning means are formed by thickenings formingat least one axially-directed step with the thickenings acting asindexing means.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser deviceis a two-dose dispenser adapted to dispense two doses of fluid, saidactuator element being rotatably mounted on said one-piece block whichcomprises:

first indexing means formed by one or more thickenings extending over afirst portion of the inner peripheral surface of the base andco-operating, in a first position of the actuator element, with one ormore axial tabs projecting into the actuator element to prevent thefirst dose being dispensed;

first energy-accumulator means formed by one or more studs projectingfrom the outer surface of said base and co-operating, after a firstrotation of the actuator element into a second position in which saidfirst indexing means no longer co-operate with the actuator element,with one or more shoulders provided on the inner surface of the actuatorelement, thereby accumulating energy in the hand of the user duringactuation of the device, said shoulders passing over said studs onlyafter a predetermined minimum force has been applied, thereby enablingthe actuator element to move relative to the one-piece block, and thusto cause the first dose to be dispensed;

fractioning means formed by one or more thickenings extending over asecond portion of the inner peripheral surface of the base andco-operating with said axial tab(s) of the actuator element after thefirst dose has been dispensed to prevent additional axial displacementof the actuator element over the one-piece block, thereby fractioningthe content of the tank into two doses, such that said fractioning meansact simultaneously as second indexing means; and

second energy-accumulator means formed by one or more studs projectingfrom the outer surface of the base and co-operating, after a secondrotation of the actuator element into a third position in which saidsecond indexing means no longer co-operate with the actuator element,with said shoulder(s) of the actuator element to accumulate energy inthe hand of the user, allowing the second dose to be dispensed onlyafter a predetermined minimum force has been applied.

Preferably, each of said first and second energy-accumulator meanscomprises a pair of diametrically-opposite projecting studs, the twopairs of studs being axially and circumferentially offset relative toeach other on the outer surface of said one-piece block.

Advantageously, in said first position of the actuator element, saidshoulder(s) of the actuator element co-operate, e.g. by snap-fastening,with fastening means provided on the top peripheral edge of saidone-piece piece to hold said actuator element on said one-piece block.

Preferably, said one-piece block includes, on an outer surface: firstrotary abutment means co-operating with said actuator element to definesaid first position of the actuator element; and second rotary abutmentmeans co-operating with the actuator element to define said secondposition of the actuator element; and third rotary abutment meansco-operating with the actuator element to define said third position ofthe actuator element.

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention appearfrom the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, given by way of non-limiting example with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic vertical section view through a deviceconstituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown inits rest position;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic vertical section view of the actuator element,showing its axial tabs;

FIGS. 3a and 3 b are diagrammatic vertical section views showing thedevice constituting a preferred embodiment of the present invention,respectively in a rest position that prevents actuation, and in a readyposition from which the first dose can be dispensed;

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are diagrammatic perspective views of the dispenserdevice constituting a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 7a and 7 b are diagrammatic perspective views of the actuatorelement; and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrammatic perspective views of the one-piece block.

With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the dispenser device of the inventioncomprises a tank 11 containing a fluid to be dispensed that is mountedon a base 14, a dispenser member such as a pump, and a manual actuatormember 20 such as a pusher for actuating the dispenser member for thepurpose of dispensing the fluid, said actuator element 20 being providedwith an outlet orifice 29 through which said fluid is to be sprayed. Thepump has a piston 1 slidably received in the tank 11, with the inside ofthe piston being connected to the outlet orifice 29 via an expulsionchannel 3. Advantageously, a nozzle 2 is located in said expulsionchannel to enhance atomization.

In accordance with the invention, the device has dose-fractioning means16. The fractioning means are designed to fraction the content of thetank into two or more doses, thereby transforming the dispenser into amulti-dose dispenser, advantageously a two-dose dispenser, i.e. a devicewhich dispenses two doses of fluid. The example shown in the figuresrelates in particular to a nose spray, which operates as a two-dosedispenser, one dose being provided for each nostril. Naturally, theinvention is not limited to this particular application.

To guarantee perfect atomization of an entire dose of fluid, theinvention provides for energy-accumulator means 12 which co-operate withthe actuator element 20 during actuation of the spray device toaccumulate energy in the hand of the user. Advantageously, saidenergy-accumulator means co-operate with said actuator element 20 inthat they deform it elastically when a predetermined minimum force isexerted thereon.

According to a characteristic of the present invention, said base 14,said energy-accumulator means 12, and said dose-fractioning means 16 areimplemented in the form of a single one-piece block 10. Thisimplementation makes it possible to reduce the number of component partsand thus the cost of fabricating and assembling the dispenser device. Inparticular, compared with the device disclosed in document WO 93/02804,fabrication and assembly of the device are simplified since it is nolonger necessary to provide moving means (split rings) for accumulatingenergy. The reliability of the device is also improved, since a splitring can break or jam while the device is being actuated.

As shown in the figures, the tank 11 is preferably also integrallyformed with the single-piece block 10 which preferably includes twoconcentric hollow cylinders: the inner cylinder defines the tank 11,while the outer cylinder forms the base 14 that has saidenergy-accumulator means 12 on its outer surface. The two concentriccylinders are preferably interconnected by a substantially horizontalannular flange level with their bottom ends, thus defining an annularhollow space between the inner surface of the base 14 and the outersurface of the tank 11.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which combines allof the advantages provided by the invention, the device also hasindexing means 15 in addition to the energy-accumulator means 12 and thedose-fractioning means 16. The indexing means are intended selectivelyto prevent or allow actuation of the device, specifically forguaranteeing safety against undesired actuation, e.g. during transport.

In an advantageous feature of the invention, said indexing means areintegrally formed with the one-piece block 10, as can be seen inparticular in FIG. 9. In particular, these indexing means are made inthe form of one or more thickenings 15 provided on the inner surface ofthe base 14, said thickenings extending over a portion of the peripheryof said inner surface. They co-operate with the actuator element 20selectively to prevent or allow axial displacement of said actuatormember 20 relative to said one-piece block 10. More particularly, saidthickenings 15 co-operate with one or more tabs 25 projecting inside theactuator element 20, preferably axially, and coming into abutmentagainst said thickenings 15 in the rest position in which actuation isprevented. In this first position of the actuator element, as shown inparticular in FIGS. 1 and 3a, any force exerted on the actuator element20 will have no effect, and no fluid will be dispensed by the device.

To keep the actuator element 20 attached to said one-piece block 10,fastening means 19 are advantageously provided on said one-piece block10, advantageously on the top peripheral edge of the base 14. Thesefastening means 19 can co-operate with one or more shoulders 22 providedon the bottom peripheral edge of the actuator elements 20. As can beseen in particular in FIG. 9, these fastening means 19, e.g. in thefirst position of the actuator element 20, i.e. in the rest positionwhere actuation of the device is prevented, may have a special shape 19a that facilitates fastening of the actuator element 20 on the base 14during assembly. This particular shape may, for example, be implementedin the form of a ramp 19 a which enables the actuator element 20 todeform progressively and elastically at shoulders 22, said shoulders 22subsequently snap-fastening beneath said fastening means 19. Thisparticular shape 19 a for the fastening means 19 preferably defines theposition in which the actuator element 20 is mounted on the one-pieceblock 10, which position advantageously corresponds to said firstposition of the actuator element.

In accordance with the invention, the actuator element 20 is preferablymounted to rotate on the one-piece block 10. Thus, when the user desiresto dispense the fluid, it is necessary to turn the actuator element 20relative to the one-piece block 10 about its main axis towards a secondposition for the actuator element 20, referred to as the “ready”position, in which the indexing means 15 no longer co-operate with theactuator element 20. In other words, in this second position of theactuator element 20, shown in particular in FIG. 3b, the tabs 25provided inside the actuator element 20 do not rest against thethickenings 15 of the one-piece block 10, such that actuation is nolonger prevented. Advantageously, the one-piece block 10 has, on itsouter surface: first rotary abutment means 18 a for defining thedirection of rotation between the first and second positions; and secondrotary abutment means 18 b for defining the second position of theactuator element 20. In particular, the rotary abutment means can beembodied by projections which project from the outer surface of theone-piece block 10 and which co-operate with said shoulders 22 of theactuator element 20 during rotation thereof.

Advantageously, the energy-accumulator means are embodied in the form ofone or more studs 12, and in particular in the form of twodiametrically-opposite studs, that are disposed on the outer surface ofthe single-piece block 10. As can be seen in FIG. 3b, said studs 12co-operate with the shoulders 22 of the actuator element 20 and giverise to a certain amount of resistance against axial displacement of theactuator element 20 relative to the one-piece block 10. Thus, when theuser seeks to spray a dose, the user exerts a force on the device whichurges the actuator element 20 in axial displacement on the one-pieceblock 10, with said displacement being prevented by the studs 12.Nevertheless, since the actuator element 20 is preferably made of anappropriate plastics material, it can be deform elastically, thusenabling said shoulders 22 to pass over said studs once a predeterminedminimum force is exerted on the device. This threshold corresponding tosaid minimum force thus enables energy to be accumulated in the hand ofthe user, and when the shoulders 22 of the actuator element 20 pass overthe studs 12 of the one-piece block, all of said energy accumulated inthe hand of the user is transmitted suddenly to the device, such thatthe entire dose is sprayed. There is no danger of traveling over onlypart of a stroke, which would have the consequence of dispensing part ofa dose only.

The preferred embodiment as shown in the drawings corresponds to atwo-dose dispenser. In this case, the device has fractioning means 16designed to fraction the content of the tank 11 into two that arepreferably equal doses. In the present invention, said fractioning means16 are made integrally with the one-piece block 10. Advantageously, saidfractioning means are formed by one or more thickenings 16 which, inassociation with the thickenings 15 acting as indexing means, constituteat least one step in the axial direction. These second thickenings 16extend over a second portion of the inner surface of the base 14 in linewith the first thickenings 15, and thus, at the end of the first dosebeing expelled, the second thickenings 16 co-operate with said tabs 25of the actuator element 20 to stop the axial displacement of theactuator element 20 relative to the one-piece block 10. Said fractioningmeans 16 also act under such circumstances as second indexing means,given that in the ready position and after the first dose has beendispensed, they prevent the second dose being dispensed. A particularlyadvantageous embodiment is performed by two diametrically-oppositethickenings which, over a portion 15, extend to the peripheral top edgeof the base 14 so as to form the first indexing means, and over a secondportion 16, extend only about halfway up the hollow annular gap betweenthe base 14 and the tank 11 so as to form fractioning means that alsoact as second indexing means. At least a portion of said inner surfacemust be free of thickening so as to allow the actuator element 20 tomove for the purpose of dispensing the second dose. In a manner similarto that described above, in order to be able to dispense the seconddose, the actuator element 20 is rotated on the one-piece block 10 intoa third position where the tabs 25 no longer co-operate with the secondthickenings 16, thereby permitting the second dose to be dispensed.

Advantageously, provision is also made for second energy-accumulatormeans 13, preferably likewise implemented in the form of studsprojecting from the outer surface of the single-piece block 10, twostuds 13 advantageously being likewise diametrically-opposite eachother. Similarly, it is also advantageous to provide third rotaryabutment means 18 c which serve to define said third position of theactuator element 20, and which are advantageously made in a mannersimilar to the first and second rotary abutment means 18 a and 18 b.Thus, in the third position of the actuator element 20, the shoulders 22of the actuator element 20 co-operate with the studs 13 which operate inthe same manner as the above-described studs to accumulate energy in thehand of the user during dispensing of the second dose. As can be seen inparticular in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, said first energy-accumulator means 12and said second energy-accumulator means 13 formed by respectivediametrically-opposite pairs of studs, are made in such a manner thatthe two pairs of studs are offset axially and angularly relative to eachother on the outer surface of the base. In this manner, in order toactuate the device, the user initially turns the actuator element 20from its first position where actuation is prevented into its secondposition, and then the user dispenses the first dose, after which theactuator element is turned again from its second position to its thirdposition, thereby allowing the device to be actuated again to dispensethe second dose.

A particular advantage of the energy-accumulator means disposed on theouter surface of the one-piece block 10 is provided by the fact thatsaid studs can also act as dose-indicators. When both the studs 12 and13 are visible, that means that no dose has yet been dispensed. Whenonly one of the two studs is visible, that means that only the firstdose has been dispensed, and when no stud is visible, that means thatboth doses have been dispensed.

Thus, in the preferred embodiment of the invention as shown in thedrawings, the one-piece block 10 incorporates the base, the tank, theenergy-accumulator means, the indexing means, the dose-fractioningmeans, the rotary abutment means defining the angular positions of theactuator element, and the fastening means for holding the actuatorelement on the one-piece block. The present invention thus makes itpossible to make a saving of several component parts for the device.Because the energy-accumulator means are not provided in the hollowannular gap defined between the base and the tank, but on the contraryare provided on the outer surface of the base, said one-piece block canbe made in simple and cheap manner, e.g. by molding. In particular,whether in the above-described preferred configuration or in any otherconfiguration covered by the present invention, the component parts ofthe device can all be made by means of molds that are simple and of lowcost since they do not include any undercuts. Assembly of the device isalso greatly facilitated because of the small number of parts.Fabrication and assembly costs of the device of the invention are thusparticularly low, but without that affecting its reliability inoperation.

Although the invention is described above with reference to thepreferred embodiment which constitutes a two-dose dispenser, the presentinvention naturally also applies to multi-dose dispensers that delivermore than two doses, and in which case the fractioning means and theenergy-accumulator means can be provided several times over. Similarly,the tank 11 need not form an integral portion of the one-piece block,but it can be fixed thereto, e.g. by snap-fastening. The inside of thetank 11 can also be provided with a cylinder of glass or of any othersuitable material for the purpose of improving sealing.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for spraying fluid, the devicecomprising a tank (11) containing a plurality of doses of fluid; acylindrical base (14) receiving tank (11); a dispenser member such as apump, a manual actuator element (20); fractioning means (16)co-operating with said actuator element (20) to fraction the content ofthe tank (11) into at least two doses; and energy-accumulator means (12)co-operating, during actuation, with said manual actuator element (20)to resist, up to a minimum threshold force, actuation of said actuationelement by a user applying an actuation force, so that when said minimumthreshold force is exceeded, the actuation force is suddenly translatedinto movement of said actuator element so as to guarantee properatomization of the entire dose of fluid on each actuation, and whereinsaid base (14), said fractioning means (16), and said energy-accumulatormeans (12) form integral portions of a common one-piece block (10).
 2. Adevice according to claim 1, in which said tank (11) is integrallyformed with said one-piece block (10).
 3. A device according to claim 1,further comprising indexing means (15) co-operating with said manualactuator element (20) selectively to allow or prevent actuation of thedevice, in which said indexing means (15) are integrally formed withsaid one-piece block (10).
 4. A device according to claim 3, in whichsaid indexing means are formed by one or more thickenings (15) providedon a portion of an inner surface of said one-piece block (10) andco-operating, in a first position of the actuator element (20), with oneor more tabs (25) projecting into an inside of the actuator element (20)to prevent actuation of the device, said actuator element (20) beingmovable in rotation relative to said one-piece block (10) into a secondposition in which said tabs (25) no longer co-operate with saidthickenings (15), thereby enabling the device to be actuated.
 5. Adevice according to claim 1, in which said energy-accumulator means (12)co-operates with said element (20) by deforming said actuator elementelastically when the minimum threshold force is exerted thereon.
 6. Adevice according to claim 5, in which said energy-accumulator means arestuds (12) formed on an outer surface of said one-piece block (10),which studs co-operate with corresponding shoulders (22) provided on aninner surface of the actuator element (20).
 7. A device according toclaim 3, in which said fractioning means are formed by thickenings (16)forming at least one axially-directed step with the thickenings (15)acting as indexing means.
 8. A device according to claim 1, in which thedevice is a two-dose dispenser adapted to dispense two doses of fluid,said actuator element (20) being rotatably mounted on said one-pieceblock (10), wherein said one-piece block comprises: first indexing meansformed by one or more thickenings (15) extending over a first portion ofan inner peripheral surface of the base (14) and co-operating, in afirst position of the actuator element (20), with one or more axial tabs(25) projecting into the actuator element (20) to prevent a first doseof the two doses from being dispensed; said energy-accumulator means,which is a first energy-accumulator means (12), formed by one or morestuds (12) projecting from an outer surface of said base (14) andco-operating, after a first rotation of the actuator element (20) into asecond position in which said first indexing means (15) no longerco-operate with the actuator element (20), with one or more shoulders(22) provided on an inner surface of the actuator element (20), therebyaccumulating energy in a hand of the user during actuation of thedevice, said shoulders (22) passing over said studs (12) only after theminimum threshold force has been applied, thereby enabling the actuatorelement (20) to move relative to the one-piece block (10), and thus tocause the first dose to be dispensed; fractioning means formed by one ormore thickenings (16) extending over a second portion of the innerperipheral surface of the base (14) and co-operating with said axialtab(s) (25) of the actuator element (20) after the first dose has beendispensed to prevent additional axial displacement of the actuatorelement (20) over the one-piece block (10), thereby fractioning thecontent of the tank (11) into the two doses, such that said fractioningmeans (16) act simultaneously as second indexing means; and secondenergy-accumulator means (13) formed by one or more studs (13)projecting from the outer surface of the base (14) and co-operating,after a second rotation of the actuator element (20) into a thirdposition in which said second indexing means (16) no longer co-operatewith the actuator element (20), with said shoulder(s) (22) of theactuator element (20), to accumulate energy in the hand of the user,allowing the second dose to be dispensed only after a predeterminedminimum threshold force has been applied.
 9. A device according to claim8, in which each of said first and second energy-accumulator meanscomprises a pair of diametrically-opposite projecting studs (12, 13),the two pairs of studs (12, 13) being axially and circumferentiallyoffset relative to each other on the outer surface of said one-pieceblock (10).
 10. A device according to claim 8, in which, in said firstposition of the actuator element (20), said shoulder(s) (22) of theactuator element (20) co-operate, e.g. by snap-fastening, with fasteningmeans (19) provided on the top peripheral edge of said one-piece piece(10) to hold said actuator element (20) on said one-piece block (10).11. A device according to claim 8, in which said one-piece block (10)includes, on an outer surface: first rotary abutment means (18 a)co-operating with said actuator element (20) to define said firstposition of the actuator element; and second rotary abutment means (18b) co-operating with the actuator element (20) to define said secondposition of the actuator element; and third rotary abutment means (18 c)co-operating with the actuator element (20) to define said thirdposition of the actuator element.
 12. A device for spraying fluid,comprising: a tank containing a plurality of doses of fluid; a baseincorporating said tank; a pump actuated by a manual actuator element,said manual actuator element having shoulder portions; a fractioningelement that co-operates with said actuator element to fraction thecontent of the tank into at least two doses; and energy-accumulatorstuds that co-operate, during actuation, with said shoulder portions ofsaid manual actuator element to resist, up to a minimum threshold force,actuation of said actuation element by a user applying an actuationforce, so that when said minimum threshold force is exceeded, theactuation force is suddenly translated into axial movement of saidactuator element so as to guarantee proper atomization of an entiresingle dose of fluid upon actuation.
 13. The device according to claim12, wherein said energy-accumulator studs are formed on an outer of saidbase, and wherein said shoulder portions are formed on an inner surfaceof said manual actuator element, and wherein a portion of said manualactuator element along said inner surface of said manual actuatorelement slides axially over a portion of said base along said outersurface of said base upon actuation of said pump.
 14. The deviceaccording to claim 13, wherein said base, said fractioning element, andsaid energy-accumulator studs are integrally formed portions of a commonone-piece block.
 15. The device according to claim 13, wherein saidenergy-accumulator studs co-operate with said shoulder portions toelastically deform said actuator element elastically when the minimumthreshold force is exerted thereon.